GdS: Midfield ‘casting’ and the Pezzella ‘idea’ – Fonseca hopes for winter additions

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·29 novembre 2024

GdS: Midfield ‘casting’ and the Pezzella ‘idea’ – Fonseca hopes for winter additions

AC Milan’s mission ahead of the January window is clear: to sign a new central midfielder and a deputy for Theo Hernandez. They already have targets in mind.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, before the victory over Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday night, Zlatan Ibrahimovic hinted that Milan will not be caught unprepared when the window reopens in January.

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“Let’s remember that Bennacer will be back in a week, he will give us a hand with his quality. Then we will see what happens from today until the mercato, there are still seven games,” he said.

“We are always keeping an eye open to see if we can bring something, we are always in dialogue with the coach to see if there is something that is needed or not needed.”

In short, it will also be up to Paulo Fonseca to suggest what can strengthen his squad, given that they are lagging behind in Serie A but paradoxically have to prepare for a run in the Champions League knockouts.

Midfield pursuit

There will be a particular focus on signing Italian players and/or players born after after January 1, 2002 because of the squad list regulations. That is why Morten Frendrup of Genoa – who is ‘perhaps the most fascinating’ – might be the most complicated option.

Milan would have to free up a spot in the squad list to sign him because he is Danish and over 22 years of age. The potential departure of Luka Jovic could help, but this was a strategy already tried in the final days of the summer window, but the Serbian striker did not agree to leave.

On the other hand, Reda Belahyane (Verona) and Warren Bondo (Monza) could arrive without a departure being a pre-requisite. Both are under 22 and they know the league already, while in the background Lucas Gourna-Douath of Red Bull Salzburg remains.

A back-up for Theo

In the first team squad, there is no left-footed full-back aside from Theo Hernandez. The only one on the payroll is paradoxically Fode Ballo-Touré, who is however registered only for the Futuro side.

When the Frenchman was not available, Filippo Terracciano shifted over to the left. The Futuro have Alex Jimenez (another natural right-footer) and Davide Bartesaghi, who Fonseca holds in high esteem, but both are young and raw.

An addition, if on the right terms, wouldn’t hurt. This is where Giuseppe Pezzella emerges: the 27-year-old is currently at Empoli and might have an audition of sorts tomorrow at San Siro. He was linked in the past, before moving to Atalanta in 2021.